Patent EA-001953-B1 (EA)
Title: Protective elements, devices comprising said elements and method for protecting a zone against floods and avalanches
IPC: E02B3/06
Filed: 1998-11-04
Abstract: 1. Protective element (1) having a plate (2) which has a first longitudinal edge (3) and a second longitudinal edge (4), the edges being spaced apart from each other by a distance (D), and the protective element including a pivot bearing (5, 5') which is arranged essentially parallel to the first longitudinal edge and/or second longitudinal edge, is designed for transmitting forces and by means of which, in order to absorb forces acting on the protective element, the plate (2) can be arranged on a substructure (6), in particular on a device for protecting against floods or avalanches, and such that it can move with respect to this substructure (6) in a swivelling range (S), characterized in that the pivot bearing (5, 5') is of sealed design and - in order to compensate for forces acting on the plate (2) and on the bearing (5, 5') - is arranged spaced apart at a maximum of a quarter of the distance (D) from a geometrical axis or gravity axis (7) of the plate (2), which axis runs between the first and second longitudinal edges and essentially parallel to longitudinal edges (3, 4). 2. Protective element (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that a first surface (8) of the plate (2) is designed such that it can be walked on or travelled over. 3. Protective element (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that solar collectors (10) are arranged on a first surface (8) or second surface (9) of the plate (2). 4. Protective element (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate (2) includes side edges (11, 11') along which sealing elements (12) are arranged in such a manner that the plate (2) can enter into an essentially water-tight connection with a directly adjacent plate (2) or constructional unit (13). 5. Device for protecting against floods or avalanches, having a substructure (6), characterized in that at least one protective element (1) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 4 is arranged on the substructure by means of the pivot bearing (5, 5'). 6. Device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the entire swivelling range (S) of the protective element (1) covers an angle of between 10 degree  and 200 degree . 7. Device according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the entire swivelling range (S) of the protective element (1) covers an angle of between + 100 degree  and -100 degree , starting from an inoperative position. 8. Device according to Claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the entire swivelling range (S) of the protective element (1) is greater than 90 degree . 9. Device according to one of Claims 5 to 8, characterized in that the plate (2) is operatively connected to a driving device (14) for moving the plate. 10. Device according to one of Claims 5 to 9, characterized in that it has locking means (15, 15') with which the plate (2) can be locked in any desired swivelling position with respect to the substructure (6). 11. Device according to one of Claims 5 to 10, characterized in that it includes a channel (16, 16') for supplying and removing media and/or liquids, and also for maintenance and operational purposes. 12. Device according to Claim 11, characterized in that the channel (16, 16') surrounds at least part of the swivelling range (S) of the plate (2). 13. Device according to Claim 11 or 12, characterized in that a manually or motor operated driving device (14) for moving the plate (2) is arranged in the channel (16, 16') or in or on the pivot bearing (5, 5'). 14. Device according to Claim 11, 12 or 13, characterized in that the channel (16) surrounds at least part of the plate (2) and the driving device (14) in every swivelling position in such a manner that the channel is essentially sealed off. 15. Device according to one of Claims 5 to 14, characterized in that the plates (2) are arranged in a row in such a manner that they form, by swivelling, a protective wall against floods or avalanches. 16. Device according to one of Claims 5 to 14, characterized in that the plates (2) are arranged in two or more rows in such a manner that they form, by swivelling, two or more protective walls against floods or avalanches. 17. Method for protecting an area against floods or avalanches, according to which a protective element, in accordance with one or more of Claims 1 to 4, or a number of protective elements of this type, which element or elements is/are arranged on a device for protecting against floods or avalanches in accordance with one of Claims 5 to 16, is swivelled about a pivot bearing (5, 5') into a protective position in which in each case a second surface (9) of the plate (2) or of the plates (2) bears against a part (17, 17') of a substructure (6) of the device in such a manner that the forces, which the flood or the snow can exert on a further surface (8, 18) of the plate, are transmitted essentially uniformly to the part (17, 17') of the substructure (6). 18. Method according to Claim 17, characterized in that the one plate (2) or a number of plates (2) are swivelled into the protective position automatically or via an early warning system. 19. Method according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that a number of plates (2) are connected to one another and are swivelled together into the protective position.